Author: KRDO

Samantha Hildebrandt

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the correct location and coinciding photo of the crash site.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — One person is dead after a car crashed into a home on the Westside of Colorado Springs.

The crash happened at a home near Uintah and 22nd Street around 11:45 Friday night.

After a night of no sleep, KRDO13 spoke with neighbors who say they ran to what was left of their neighbor’s home.

“There was so much smoke. So much smoke. It smelled so bad. We almost didn’t even know the house was hit until we heard screaming, hysterical screaming. She was looking for her son,” says a samaritan, Victoria Elizondo, who was next door when the crash happened.

Victoria says she was watching a movie with her family when they heard a loud screech.

Thankfully, everyone in the home is safe, but Victoria tells me the circumstances could have been very different. 

“The oldest son was not home. If you see that bed right there over there, that was his bed completely mangled. If he would have been home, he would have been on that bed,” says Elizondo.

Multiple neighbors say they’re devastated by the incident, but sadly not surprised.

They say car crashes happen all too often in this area, and they intend to speak up to get some safety measures implemented, hopefully to prevent future crashes from happening.

Investigators are still looking into what caused the crash.

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Sunday, KRDO13 sat down with Representative Jeff Hurd (R), who represents the Western Slope and parts of Southern Colorado to Pueblo. The main topic of discussion was the ongoing government shutdown.

Below is a transcript of the interview. You can watch the video version of the interview at the top of the page.

Transcript:

Michael Logerwell, KRDO13 (M) – Well, the federal government shutdown is coming up on its third week, and since then, many federal employees have gone without pay. National outlets are reporting that some layoffs have begun in federal agencies, and the next session, congressional session, in D.C. is set for Tuesday.

Now we’re joined by Congressman Jeff Hurd, who represents the Western Slope of Colorado all the way to Pueblo. Congressman Hurd, thank you for joining us this evening.

Rep. Jeff Hurd (J) – Michael, happy to be with you.

(M) – Alright, congressman, we’ll get things started. Colorado is home to a lot of federal employees and military families. What is the latest update on negotiations to end the government shutdown?

(J) – Well, it’s not exactly clear what’s happening right now. The Democrats in the Senate need to do their job, Michael.

Several weeks ago, House Republicans got the budget passed. We got a continuing resolution through to keep the government open. The ball’s now in the Senate’s court. They need to do their job, pass legislation so that we can get the government back open, get our troops paid, get our federal workers paid, [and] make sure that we’re taking care of women, infants, and children. All that’s not happening right now.

We’re waiting for the Senate to simply pass a continuing resolution.

(M) – Congressman, Democratic leaders are saying that they want more permanent extensions to the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which help keep health care costs down for millions of Americans. I know you campaigned on lowering costs for Colorado. I’m sure many of your colleagues did as well for their portions of the country.

So, where exactly, from your point of view, is this disconnect that’s leading to the shutdown?

(J) – Well, I’m happy to talk about this. Michael, it is an important issue in my district and across the state, keeping US health insurance premiums low, but we need to have that conversation in the context of a government that’s open. Right now, the government is shut down.

It’s not right for Democrats in the Senate to hold federal pay hostage, to hold the pay for our troops hostage over this issue. I’m willing to discuss it. I’m a co-sponsor on legislation that would extend those tax credits, but we need to do it in the context of a government that’s open.

The Senate needs to do its job and pass a continuing resolution that opens up the government again. Once we do that, I’m happy to have those discussions.

(M) – Congressman, I’m sure many Americans are tired of what I would call mudslinging, right? Republicans blaming Democrats and vice versa. It seems like that’s going on a lot here.

I do know Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. At what point does a deal get done?

It seems like there is some agreement. Like you said, you sponsor a lot of legislation that would lower health care costs, and Democrats say they want to keep these health care costs low. At what point does a deal get done?

(J) – Well, we need to get a deal done. Here’s the thing. Republicans do control the House and the Senate, but in the Senate, there’s a filibuster, which requires 60 votes in order to keep the government open. That means seven Democratic senators need to join the House of Representatives, and what we’ve already done, and pass a simple bill that will keep the government open.

We’ve already done that in the House. The legislation that we passed is a simple, clean, continuing resolution. It doesn’t have any partisan bells or whistles, no poison pills. It’s a budget that the Democrats have already agreed to in the past. We’re simply asking that they extend it once again so we can finish our job in the House of Representatives when it comes to the regular budgeting process.

Once we do that, the government’s back open. Then we can talk about all these other important issues like health care, like lowering the cost of prescription drugs, like doing everything that we had promised that we would do for the people of rural Colorado.

(M) – Congressman, is there a point when you think that anyone is going to cross the aisle here? Because it seems like this impasse has been going on for a while now, and it’s tough to say how much longer it’s going to go on.

Is there any signaling from Republicans that they are willing to cross the aisle? I don’t want to frame it like I’m saying this is Republicans at fault. I’m just asking you because you are a Republican.

(J) – I get it. Listen, there’s nothing to negotiate. Republicans didn’t include any special ask or policy requests in the continuing resolution that would keep the government open.

There’s nothing for us to give on.

We haven’t added anything special. We haven’t proposed any new policy additions. There’s nothing for us to negotiate. The Democrats in the Senate simply need to pass the bill that we passed. It’s no partisan riders, no. No tricks, no poison pills, nothing that they just simply need to reopen the government by passing legislation that they’ve already passed in the past multiple times.

They need to do that [and] get the government back open again. Then we need to talk about these important issues that matter to folks in Colorado. I’m committed to that. Like I said, I’m not just willing to talk about it, but I’m already on legislation that would extend those enhanced premium tax credits.

It’s not right to hold these things hostage, to hold pay for troops hostage, to hold federal worker pay hostage in order to extract these policy concessions.

That’s government by crisis. It’s not good public policy. Democrats simply need to do their job. Pass the bill that would reopen our government, and then we’ll get back to the important work on behalf of the people here in Colorado.

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Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The government shutdown continues to impact the Southern Colorado community, and now the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is asking for donations from the public as demand sharply increases.

The service center says it remains dedicated to being a hub for veterans in need, but with a “surge in need, there’s also a surge for support.”

One service they offer is a biweekly food drive, and they anticipate the turnout to double.

At this rate, they say, if anyone is inclined to support the cause, now is the time to do it.

“Unfortunately, for the last couple of years, all the nonprofits come together and do the what-if drill, if people are furloughed or laid off, you know, this year it’s longer than normal,” says Bob McLaughlin, the Mt. Carmel executive director.

Through different programs such as rent assistance and behavioral health and wellness, they say these services and food distributions work as an opportunity to offset somebody’s bills, and they see it as their duty to provide.

“Whatever we can do to offset some of the anxiety that people are feeling, we want to do that,” says McLaughlin.

If you are interested in donating, you can do so here.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – Electricity was in the air this weekend at Pueblo Community College for the Black Hills Energy annual Pueblo EV Expo.

Attendees got the chance to test drive electric vehicles and learn how to enter the electric car industry through a unique class offered at the community college.

The electric vehicle program started two years ago, making Pueblo Community College one of the first in the state to offer training on hybrid and battery-powered cars.

Through the program, students earn training certificates to get jobs in the industry, or more training if they’re already certified.

It’s all part of Colorado’s push towards more electric vehicles on the road.

“We’re all agents of change, and that’s something that we’re wanting to create not only with sustainable energy but also change for the future that our kids and our family members live in this community as well, and it’s all about opportunity,” James Cordova, chair of the Pueblo Community College Automotive Technology Program, told KRDO13.

Scholarships for classes are available through black hills energy, and any current students or post-grad students are welcome to apply.

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Josh Helmuth

MONUMENT, Colo. (KRDO) — Elementary students in Monument had quite the thrill last week launching rockets.

“Rocket Day” was celebrated at Bear Creek Elementary School. Students put their learning into action by building and decorating their own rockets before launching them from launch pads at the school.

The hands-on lesson taught students the forces of flight and gravity. You can learn more about the school’s Rocket Day here.

Do you know something or someone remarkable at your school? Email us at SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com

 

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — El Paso County officials say renovations are headed got Fox Run Regional Park.

According to the county, two of the ponds on site will get a facelift. Those projects include grading and drainage improvements to the ponds and trails, the installation of new pond liners, and the replacement of the existing gazebo with a new structure near the park’s amphitheater.

County officials say there will also be improvements to ADA access.

“This project is an important investment in one of our most popular parks,” said El Paso County Parks Executive Director Todd Marts in a release. “These renovations will ensure that Fox Run Regional Park continues to be a safe, accessible, and beautiful space for residents and visitors for years to come.”

The county says construction begins this month and is anticipated to run through the spring of next year.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Crews have begun modifying the center median on one of the city’s busiest roads in an effort to reduce crashes caused by drivers turning left across all six lanes of traffic.

Crews started work Monday on Garden of the Gods Road between I-25 and Chestnut Street, just west of the freeway.

That stretch of the road features a concentration of restaurants and other businesses, along with several dedicated left-turn lanes that lead to the access roads serving those establishments.

However, city officials stated that too many crashes have occurred when drivers exit the access roads and make left turns between heavy, speeding vehicles across the eastbound and westbound lanes.

“There will be some inside lane closures,” said Todd Frisbie, the city’s head traffic engineer. “Most of the time, it’ll be a single lane in each direction. And then, maybe sometimes, we’ll need two lanes. But again, we ask drivers to be patient. That construction will go as quickly as possible.”

According to a release issued by the city last week, the affected segment of Garden of the Gods Road had 47 crashes and 16 injuries between 2015 and 2020.

The project’s second phase starts next month, east of I-25, where Garden of the Gods Road intersects Northpark Drive and Mark Dabling Boulevard.

Crews will upgrade traffic signals at those locations.

Frisbie said that the signals are outdated and hang from wires; the upgrade will install mast arms to support new signals and provide more flexibility in how they’re operated.

“Also, some pedestrian enhancements are going on at those two intersections,” he explained. “We have new ramps, which will be more ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible at those locations. And it also allows us to operate our pedestrian activations a little bit differently.”

Both projects will cost $2 million and are funded by a federal grant and by an allocation from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority.

The city expects to complete both projects by the end of the year.

For the median project, drivers should also be aware of possible backups on the I-25 northbound exit ramp to Garden of the Gods Road; crews will have only one lane open at the bottom of the ramp to avoid traffic congestion that could slow construction.

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Josh Helmuth

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story noted Chris Farmer, general counsel for the National Funeral Directors Association, as saying the public cannot look up a funeral home’s disciplinary history in Colorado. That’s not entirely true, as the judgment in this story’s case was found via public record. All inspection reports and complaints are not public record.

Also, Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies reached out to KRDO13 following this report to further clarify that Aaron Kucharik, a former funeral director licensed in Kansas, did not help write Colorado’s Death Care Consumer Guide but helped provide input on the booklet during its development.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – After Colorado’s disturbing funeral home scandal in Penrose in 2023, lawmakers vowed to tighten oversight. But in Colorado Springs, a man once convicted of forging a death certificate is now running a funeral business, and it’s perfectly legal. 

A “Mortuary Master” in Colorado Springs 

Adam Casey calls himself a “Mortuary Master.” 

“Somebody who is well versed in all aspects of the business,” he told 13 Investigates. 

Casey opened Casey’s Home for Funerals in Colorado Springs earlier this year. 

“I am a mortician. I am an embalmer. I specialize in restorative art,” he said. 

His business offers what he calls “cinematic” services, with music, performance, and celebration at their core. 

“Our services are not traditional simply because we are very, very cinematic with the way that we provide services,” Casey said. “We definitely like to sing and pretty much help the family heal, along with the celebration of life.” 

A Troubled Past in Illinois 

But Casey’s career hasn’t always been smooth. In 2017, he was arrested in Cook County, Illinois, for operating without a license and forging a death certificate. According to the sheriff’s office, Casey pleaded guilty to forgery and was sentenced to probation and community service. 

When asked what happened, Casey described a partnership gone wrong. 

“I got partnered with a funeral home,” he said. “A lady who said that she wanted to revive her funeral home and bring new life to it. Sadly, it was a nightmare because everything that I thought it was, it wasn’t.” 

He says he was arrested at a funeral service “in front of the family.” 

“It was horrible,” he recalled. “I know I was set up.” 

Court records show that Casey’s guilty plea remains on file. But when asked why anyone should trust him after a felony conviction, Casey said: 

“We all know that justice isn’t always accurate the first time around. Based on the black and white, I would understand — yeah, I wouldn’t give me a chance either. However, once again, new facts … have been brought to the forefront. It has been revealed that everything is not what it appeared to be.” 

13 Investigates also discovered Casey was arrested by Chicago Police on Dec. 5, 2019 on battery and criminal trespass charges. Casey claims the arrest was a surprise, happening during an industry seminar during his probation from the first arrest.  

A Judge’s Decision — and a New Beginning in Colorado 

Casey later moved to Colorado — and for a reason. 

“When I found out that Colorado had, well, you could practice funeral services and not necessarily be licensed, I said, ‘Okay, well, here it is,’” he said. “If they’re going to give me the opportunity to serve in Colorado, I can prove that I know what I’m doing compared to some of the people who may not.” 

Records from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) show that the state initially denied Casey’s registration to operate Casey’s Home for Funerals because of his criminal history. But Casey appealed that decision, and Colorado Administrative Law Judge Zoe Cole ultimately overturned the denial — allowing him to operate legally. 

13 Investigates reached out to Judge Cole’s office for comment on the decision, noting how the Colorado funeral home industry is even further under the microscope since DORA inspectors said 24 bodies were discovered improperly stored in Pueblo this summer. However, Judge Cole’s office declined to comment, saying her written decision in the public document states that the facts presented during the appeal spoke for themselves. 

Read the full document below:

Final Agency OrderDownload

Part of the granted appeal, based on the written record, had to do with Casey’s colleague, Robert Matthews. He’s a funeral director from Denver who testified in support of Casey. 13 Investigates also reached out to Mr. Matthews for comment, but never heard back.  

“If You Do Something Wrong in Another State, Just Move to Colorado” 

Unlike Judge Cole, not everyone agrees that Casey deserves a second chance. 

“Yeah, it’s definitely proving my point,” said Aaron Kucharik, a former licensed funeral director who helped provide input for the writers of Colorado’s Death Care Consumer Guide. “If you do something wrong in any other state, you just move to Colorado and you do it.” 

Kucharik, who was licensed in Kansas, left the industry after moving to Colorado because of the lack of funeral home regulation. He’s since become a consultant for lawmakers. 

Laws Passed, but Loopholes Remain

In response to the scandal in Penrose, where close to 200 bodies were left to decay inside a funeral home, lawmakers passed two bills in 2024 to strengthen funeral home oversight: House Bill 24-1335 and Senate Bill 24-173. 

HB24-1335 requires that funeral homes: 

Be inspected on a “routine basis” at any time of day. 

Maintain sanitary preparation rooms. 

Refrain from taking custody of more human remains than they can refrigerate. 

SB24-173, meanwhile, will require funeral directors to be licensed — but not until January 1, 2027.  

Until then, Colorado remains the only state where mortuary science professionals can operate without a license. 

“If you just decide that you want to be a funeral director,” Kucharik explained, “you can apply for a provisional license through the department and would not have to complete the education or national board credentials.” 

National Expert: “It’s Too Important to Let Anyone Do It” 

Chris Farmer, general counsel for the National Funeral Directors Association, says Colorado’s standards for funeral homes are far behind the rest of the country. 

“They need to have passed some standardized testing. They need to have some licensing,” Farmer said. “There’s a very good reason in funeral service why people who commit crimes like theft, fraud, or deceit should be looked at very carefully before they’re given a funeral director’s license.” 

Farmer added that in most states, the public can look up a funeral home’s disciplinary history.

“It’s essential to have at least some kind of basic understanding of who’s practicing in your state,” he said. “When regulators here decided against licensing, I told them it was a mistake. Within a week, scandals popped up, and they reversed course.” 

Colorado’s Records Now Hidden From Public View 

Kucharik and Farmer also expressed concern about new language in the law that hides funeral home inspection reports from public view. Previously, those reports were open records. But the new legislation crossed out the line stating that “records kept by the director shall be open to public inspection.” 

13 Investigates why anyone would want those lines crossed out?

“Because they want to hide,” Kucharik said. “If a funeral home doesn’t have anything to hide, they would have no issue with these being made public.”

13 Investigates submitted a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request asking for all complaints filed against funeral homes over the past two years, assuming that, at least, complaints would be public record. However, even that request was denied, citing the new confidentiality rules. 

Casey’s Current Status — and Future Plans 

Casey currently operates without a physical facility, instead partnering with other funeral homes when needed. He also works in the hospitality industry while building his business. 

“So I ended up working in hotels,” he said. “I got into the hospitality industry, working at the front desk … The funeral home industry seems to be my side hustle, which I hope someday to make a permanent full-time job.” 

In order to get a license by 2027, all funeral directors in Colorado must pass a background check, graduate from an accredited mortuary science school,  pass a national board exam, and have received workplace learning experience of one year or longer; but one can also get a provisional license if they’ve obtained at least 4,000 hours of work experience of a year or more and with a background check. 

When asked how he’s preparing for the upcoming licensure requirements, Casey said: 

“I’ll make sure that within DORA’s protocol, I have everything correct with my schooling, my continuing education hours, and my licensure as a full funeral director and embalmer, preferably a mortuary science practitioner.” 

“The Truth Is Being Revealed” 

Despite his past, Casey says he believes he’s on the right side of reform. 

“My heart goes out to the families affected by these situations [Penrose and Pueblo],” he said. “But the one thing I’m thankful for is that the light has been shone and the truth is being revealed. All of the foolishness, all of the people that’s not supposed to be in the funeral business, it’s being revealed.” 

Casey also says he supports transparency — to a degree. 

“Certain documents should be public record,” he said. “But due to the sensitive nature of people’s personal information, just like HIPAA, some things shouldn’t be known to the public. There shouldn’t be anything we hide — yes, pass or fail — but certain things should remain private if they could cause turmoil.” 

Calls for Stronger Oversight 

Kucharik says he’s continuing to push lawmakers to go further, reinstating full public inspection reports, requiring immediate licensure, continued education, multiple annual inspections, and stricter penalties for misconduct. 

“Colorado needs to match the standards of other states,” he said. 

As for Casey, he maintains that the judge’s ruling in his favor showed his case was misunderstood. 

“When she saw the facts, the text messages, she saw irrefutably that I had evidence to support my story,” he said. “She was able to see sincerely that I wasn’t who they said I was at that moment.” 

Records and Resources 

Check a License through Colorado DORA. 

File a complaint here with DORA. 

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Several people contacted KRDO13 up in arms after they weren’t allowed to sign up for public comment at Tuesday’s Colorado Springs City Council meeting. The topic they wanted to speak about? The resolution to honor the U.S. Senate’s designation of October 14, 2025, as Charlie Kirk Remembrance Day.

RELATED: Local Southern Colorado governments weigh their own honoring of Charlie Kirk on Oct. 14

A spokesperson for the Colorado Springs City Council told KRDO13 that council leadership has the power to not allow public comment for agenda items, if they choose.

That same spokesperson said that at least three people who wanted to comment had been turned away.

KRDO13 reached out to request an interview with Council Leadership or the sponsor of the Kirk Day resolution. Council President Lynette Crow-Iverson, President Pro-Tem Brian Risley, and Councilor Brandy Williams were all unavailable for interviews.

However, other councilors said the irony of this decision was not lost on them.

“I find it just profoundly ironic that a resolution that’s really about free speech and the First Amendment is one we’re not allowing public comment on,” said Councilor Nancy Henjum.

“I agree that’s rather ironic that on this we won’t have a back and forth or just allow citizens who disagree with it to speak,” said Councilor Dave Donelson.

The resolution calls to “preserve open dialogue” and says the principles of open debate are “fundamental to America’s constitutional republic,” but no one from the public will be able to engage in open debate about the resolution on Tuesday.

Councilor Donelson says the reason he was given as to why comments won’t be allowed is that the council will be too busy tomorrow.

The big ticket item on tomorrow’s docket for the city council is Colorado Springs Utilities asking for net metering for solar users, for which many have signed up to speak.

RELATED: Colorado Springs Utilities could increase rates for solar users

“My feeling, though, is that if we don’t have time for citizen comment on this at all. Then we should postpone it. We just shouldn’t do it tomorrow,” Donelson said.

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Rob Namnoum

Top prep performances for the week of October 8th.

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